Just to throw in my two cents, after reading the Virtual Webber Bullet and some board member's advice on not having to season my new WSM, I was on board with that. HOWEVER, after getting it out of the box and assembling it, my hands definitely smelled of chemical. So, I've decided to run it through once after all to help cook off all of that stuff. The page at VWB about not seasoning was so heavy-handed and sarcastic, it made me a little skeptical. At any rate, can't hurt it!